HMP Preston

An old prison in the middle of Preston

In shortBuilt in 1790 and a local prison since 1990, Preston is a confined, predominantly Victorian site whose age shapes the work.

The IMB’s 2024-25 report says the reception area and gatehouse are not fit for purpose and that the offender management unit’s prefabricated structure was condemned 15 years ago. It asked the Minister for a timeline and budget for major refurbishment.

Who is held and the facilities

In shortA category B reception prison for remand and short-sentence men, which must release or transfer about 50 prisoners every week.

• Average roll~670Operational capacity 680 (IMB)
• Turnover~50 a weekReleased or transferred out to make space for those remanded by the courts
• Receptions / releases a month260 / 47Average in 2023 (HMIP)

The IMB says Preston holds men aged 18 and over who are on remand, awaiting trial, serving sentences of 12 months or less, or awaiting transfer after sentencing.

What inspectors found in 2023

In shortA positive inspection with ‘some real momentum’, though now over three years old.

• SafetyReasonably good
• RespectReasonably good
• Purposeful activityReasonably good
• Rehabilitation and release planningNot sufficiently good

HMIP’s unannounced inspection (report published 26 June 2023) was Preston’s first full inspection since 2017. The Chief Inspector called it ‘an ageing men’s reception prison’ and a positive inspection, praising a new governor and deputy who were visible on the wings and a head of health care doing an outstanding job.

This inspection is now over three years old.

Staff culture and staffing, as inspectors recorded it

In shortOnly 12% off its full complement of officers and not ‘bedevilled’ by the staffing pressures elsewhere, but with a ‘traditional’ staff culture.

• Off full officer complement12%
• Officers under two years in postOver half‘A sensible focus on supporting them’
• Poor behaviour by colleagues40% / 16%Said occasionally challenged / never challenged (staff survey)

HMIP wrote that Preston ‘is not bedevilled by the same staffing pressures from which many English prisons suffer’. Leaders had improved officer numbers and retention and reduced sickness absence, with the proportion of officers available for operational duties much higher than in similar prisons.

Inspectors also described a ‘traditional’ staff culture. Many staff were excellent role models, but some use-of-force footage and prisoner reports showed poor behaviour. Leaders were expected to lose some staff on detached duty to other prisons, and a new staffing profile was being developed to improve the regime.

IMB annual report for 2024-25

In shortPreston was allowed to recruit above its staffing target; violence and self-harm were high, but education, showers and time out of cell improved.

The IMB’s report for 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025 begins with a note on staffing: HMP/YOI Preston has been allowed to recruit above its target establishment level, though the numbers varied through the year so there was no constant overstaffing.

• High levels of violence, with 18- to 25-year-olds the main perpetrators, and high self-harm.
• Every concern about a prisoner’s welfare appeared to lead to an assessment, care in custody and teamwork review.
• Education provision now better matched short-stay prisoners through ‘bite-size’ courses.
• Showers had continued to improve, and significant effort had been made to increase time out of cell.
• The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman was reviewing deaths in custody in the year.
• The Board pointed to the weight of the administration needed to turn over about 50 prisoners a week.

Working at Preston

In shortOn the national Band 3 pay scale with no market supplement listed as at 3 October 2026; reception work means high churn.

Preston is a public-sector prison on the national Band 3 pay scale with no market supplement listed on the HMPPS pay page as at 3 October 2026; see the pay hub and prison officer pay bands guide for the 2026/27 figures.

• We found no establishment-specific recruitment page on the Prison and Probation Jobs site, so apply through the national route in becoming a prison officer.
• Reception prisons mean a high churn of arrivals and releases, mixing remand, short-sentence and recalled prisoners.
• Our guide to prison categories explains the setting, prison officer jobs by region compares nearby options, and the prison finder lists other Lancashire and Merseyside prisons.